New York Museum Uses iBeacons To Create A ‘Digital Minefield’

While most of the iBeacon applications so far have involved making retail and entertainment more pleasant to consume, a new exhibition at a New York museum aims to use Apple’s beacon technology to demonstrate the horror of landmines.

Taking place between 11am and 3pm on April 4 at the New Museum, the event lets members of the public experience a “digital minefield” by downloading a smartphone app called Sweeper and putting on a set of headphones.

Visitors then move through the exhibit space, potentially triggering iBeacons if they get too close. If this happens, visitors hear the sound of an explosion through their headphones, followed by a short audio excerpt telling the story of a person affected by landmines.

The event is hosted by the United Nations Mine Action Service, Critical Mass, and photographer Marco Grob, and is part of the UN International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

Visitors will be asked for a $5 donation to aid efforts in ridding underdeveloped nations of hidden land mines, thereby preventing the deaths and injuries which result from them.